(NBBJ) - Backers of an effort to establish the California Wine Center, a museum, wine library, events center, and food service facility in the Courthouse Square area of Santa Rosa in Sonoma County Saturday touted a bill signed by Governor Brown as a major step toward opening the center in 2018.

Assembly Bill 297, signed last month, authorizes on-sale general license for a wine and food cultural museum and education center and allows it to be applied in Sonoma County.

Backers stated Saturday that signing of the bill would be a kickstart to a capital campaign to fund the opening of the center and planning of the facility.

“Plans include exhibition areas, a full-service a la carte, food and beverage operation, meeting and event spaces with catering, and retail sale of wine and wine-related products,” stated Dan Berger, wine columnist, wine judge, and educator.